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The innermost of the ossicles of the ear; the stirrup, or stirrup bone; -- so called from its form. See Illust. of Ear.

One of the three ossicles of the middle ear. It transmits sound vibrations from the INCUS to the internal ear (Ear, Internal see LABYRINTH).

Small bone of ear.

The stirrup-shaped innermost bone of the middle ear; the operculum or internal end of the columella auris, fitting into and filling the fenestra ovalis in Amphibians.

The innermost of the small bones of the ear, so called because it resembles a stirrup. It is situate horizontally in the cavity of the tympanum. Its head, which is directed outwards, is articulated with the os orbiculare. Its base faces inwards, and is applied to the fenestra ovalis, which it closes imperfectly, and to the membrane of which it is united. Its branches are one anterior, and the other posterior. They are curved; and the space between them is parabolic. Surgeons have given the name Stapes to a bandage used in Weeding from the foot; which forms a figure of 8 around the ankles.

Stirrup-shaped ossicle of the ear.

The stirrup-shaped third ossicle of the middle ear. It consists of a collum and a head, or capitulum, on which there is a hollowed articular surface for the lenticular process of the incus, and from which two crura diverge, that end in an oval or bean-shaped foot plate. The longitudinal axis of the s. stands almost perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the malleus and incus. [Lat.]